GE Energy inks $1B in biz with Sonelgaz

GE Energy has signed $1 billion in service agreements with Algeria’s state-owned power company Sonelgaz.

The service agreements will help to improve efficiency, output and reliability of 51 gas turbines installed in 13 power plants across the country, Atlanta-based GE Energy said.

Algeria’s installed generating capacity in 2006 was 7,077 megawatts, while its need for power is surging more than 7 percent annually and will reach a projected 14,000 megawatts by 2010.

“Today, energy companies around the globe are working to get the maximum efficiency out of their existing power plants,” said Luis Ramírez, general manager of contractual services for GE Energy. “As they break ground on new projects they are also implementing service agreements to make the most of their investment. Our customized service agreements give customers the option of adding significant generation capacity to meet rising power demand in a shorter period of time. This gives them additional options as they work on their long-term strategy to build new power plants and add more power to the grid.”